give ground Definition

ground¹
noun

1. The solid surface of the Earth, or any part of it; soil; land.

Thesaurus: soil, sand, dirt, earth, clay, sod, turf, terra firma, dust, loam, pitch; area, spot, field, tract, terrain, territory, region.
2. An area of land, usually extensive, attached to or surrounding a building.

Thesaurus: property, lot, territory, domain, tract, habitat, park, surroundings, environs.
Form: grounds (often)
3. An area of land used for a specified purpose.

Example: football ground
4. Distance covered or to be covered.
5. The substance of discussion.

Example: cover a lot of ground
6. A position or standpoint, eg in an argument.

Example: stand or shift one's ground
7. Progress relative to that made by an opponent; advantage.

Example: lose or gain ground
8. A reason or justification.

Thesaurus: basis, premise, motive, rationale, foundation, justification, cause, reason, argument, proof, vindication.
Form: grounds (usually)
9a. art.
The background in a painting;
9b. art.
A surface prepared specially before paint is applied.
(N Amer)
10. elec.
earth (noun 7).
11. Sediment or dregs, especially of coffee.

Form: grounds
12. The bottom of the sea or a river.

verb grounded, grounding

tr & intr
1. To hit or cause (a ship) to hit the seabed or shore and remain stuck.
2. To refuse to allow (a pilot or aeroplane) to fly.
3. To forbid (eg teenagers) to go out socially as a punishment.

Example: Jane's been grounded for coming in late
4. To lay (eg weapons) on the ground.
(N Amer)
5. elec.
To earth (verb 1).

adj

1. On or relating to the ground.

Example: ground forces

Idiom: cut the ground from under someone's feet (take the ground from under someone's feet)

To act in anticipation of someone's plan, etc, destroying its effect.

Idiom: down to the ground

colloq
Absolutely; completely.
Example: suits me down to the ground

Idiom: give ground

To give way; to retreat.
Thesaurus: withdraw, yield, retire, retreat.

Idiom: go to ground

Said of an animal: to go into a burrow to escape from hunters.

To go into hiding, eg from the police.

Idiom: into the ground

To the point of exhaustion; to a position of total defeat.

Idiom: off the ground

Started; under way.
Example: still can't get the project off the ground

Idiom: on firm ground

In a strong position.
Thesaurus: reliable, secure, supported, safe.

Idiom: on shaky ground

In a weak position.

Idiom: on the ground

Amongst ordinary people.
Example: opinion on the ground

Idiom: on the ground floor

On the same terms as the original promoters, or at the start (eg of a business venture).

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon as grund, in sense 12.

Phrasal Verb: ground someone in something

To give them basic instruction in (a subject).

Phrasal Verb: ground something on something else

To base (an argument, complaint, etc) on it.
Example: an argument grounded on logic